Self-acting mechanism for operating sliding windows



J. H. PIPER Feb. 11, 1930.

SELF ACTING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SLIDING WINDOWS Filed April 27, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 11, 1930. J PlPER 1,746,442

SELF ACTING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SLIDING WINDOWS Filed April 27, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 //////////////%////////////////I/ I {flf Feb. 11, 1930. J. H. PIPER I SELF ACTING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SLIDING WINDOWS Filed April 27, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 11, 1930. P|PER 1,746,442

- SELF ACTING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SLIDING WINDOWS Filed April 2'7, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ina em Patented Feb. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENTJOFFICE JOHN HERBERT PIPER, OF MOTTINGHAM,

SELF-ACTING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SLIDING WINDOWS Application filed April 27, 1928, Serial No. 273,369, and in Great Britain June 24, 1927.

This invention relates to automatic or self- I ble and collapsible support furnished with or controlled by one or-more springs constantly tending to expand or extend the support to close or elevate thewindo'w sash or the like or hold it in the closed position, and a one-way acting hand-controlled clutch which maintains the window sash in any position of adjustment or extent of opening 2 against the action of the controlling spring or springs.

' The power of the springs is so regulated in accordance with the weight and frictional resistance of the window sash or the like that the closing or elevatingmovements will be gentle or gradual and free from violence or shock. I

Referring to the accompanying drawings:-

Fig. l is a frontelevation showing a device constructed in accordance with or embodying the present invention. I

Fig. .2 is a front elevation, partly in section, showing the device as illustrated in Fig. '1 applied vto a window sash structure, the

tion.

Fig. .3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the window in an open position.

- prises a lower pair'of levers or bars A A and an upper pair of similar levers or bars A A.

carried conveniently by the block or bracket window sash being shown in the closed posi- A 'Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a 'As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the. device is.

,t-ionary or fixed block or bracket A at the.

lower end of the chamber X.

The upper ends of the bars or levers A A are pivotally connected at a to the lower ends of the levers A A respectively, and the upper ends of these latter levers are pivotally connected to a block A which is attached to the lower end of the sash Y, or the upper ends of the levers A A may be pivotally connected to the frame of said sash.

Around each of the pivots a connecting the upper and lower pairs of bars or levers are arranged coil springs B, one end I) of each spring being adapted to bear on a pin or stud A on one of the upper levers while the other end 6 bears upon 'a similar pin or stud A on one of the lower bars or levers. Or two springs B B may be arranged around each of the pivots a These springs constantly tend to extend or open the support A A A A to move the Window sash to the closed position (Fig. 2).

A convenient construction of a one-way controlling clutch for the device comprises two opposed eccentrics O C which are mounted loosely on axes 0, 0 respectively,

Theseeccentrics are normally pressed towards each other conveniently by springs C to grip between them a band or tape C of canvas or other material which in the present exam le is stationary, the upper end being attac ed to a stationary part of thewindow structure and the lower end to a fixed bar at the lower end of the chamber X, so that this tape is constantly maintained taut or in tension.

When the sash Y is pushed down, say by hand pressure, pressure being applied conveniently through a knob or handle Y the friction between the tape and the eccentrics ready describe by a sprin C causes the latter to turn on their pivots in a direction away from the tape and thus allow the sash to descend freel The power of the controlling sprin B, B is contrived so that they are ust su cient to raise the sash, when the clutch is released, and said power is applied between the pairs of levers so that as the springs are wound up the leverage increases and vice versa.

en pressure is removed from the sash, the eccentrics immediately grip the tape again and hold the sash in any adjusted position. The power of the springs is thus regulated in accordance with the weight and frictional resistance of the sash so that the closing or elevating movements will be gentle 0r gradual and free from violence or shock.

When it is desired to close or elevate the sash the clutch formed by the eccentrics must be temporarily released. This maybe accomplished in various ways; in the example illustrated the eccentrics are controlled by a Bowden cable D of known construction. One end at of the movable member of the cable is attached to the eccentric O and the other end d to an operating handle or lever D1.

The clutch formed by the eccentrics C C is shown attached to the moving window sash, and the Bowden cable permits the sash to move freely without interfering with the control.

In some positions, where the use of a Bowden cable may not be convenient, a converse arran ment of control to that al- 5 may be employed. In such a case the clutch or eccentrics C C{ may be mounted on a stationary support and the tape C be made to travel. In this case the tape will be endless and mounted to run over two pulle s 0 C arranged one at the top of the sas receiving chamber and the other at the lower end thereof, and the tape can be secured to the sliding sash by a stud or other suitable fastening. For operating one of the eccentrics with this arrangement a lever may be connected say to thev eccentric C to cause it to rotate or turn on its pivot.

Referrin now to the modified construction of clutch sEown inFig. 5 this comprises the wedges C C which are arranged on opposite sides of the tape C to move longitudinally in guides and between two stationary stops C C. These wedges are constantly grossed downward to grip the tape by springs.

,A lever C" is pivoted to the support for the wedges, and one arm of this lever passes under studs C on the wedges and is controlled Said lever may be operated by hand directly or through sultable devices to move the Wed 7 and release the sash.

As shown in Figl l6 one of the wedges may be replaced by a 'ction roller 0.

In the above described arrangements the sashes are opened by pressure a plied by hand directly to the sash itself but t e control for the clutches may be arranged both to close and open the window. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 4. In this arrangement the clutch comprising two eccentrics C C as in Fig. 1 is mounted on or is movable with the sliding sash.

The tape C is endless and is carried around two stationary idle pulleys or rollers 0 C and round a winding or controlling pulley C which may be operated by a handle C.

When the pulley C is rotated clockwise the movement of the tape will cause the eccentrics to grip it and cause the sash to be lowered, and when the pulley C is rotated counterclockwise the movement of the tape will turn the eccentrics to release their grip and the sash will be elevated by the springs B B acting on the support A A A A Having thus described the invention What I claim is: 1. In a window structure, the combination of a sliding sash; a system of levers pivotally connected together to form a four-sided support for the sash: springs acting on all the levers to close said sash; a self-acting clutch; a stationary member other than the sash with which said clutch coacts to retain the sash in any position of adjustment against the action of said springs; and a device operable at will on the clutch to open the same temporarily.

2. In a window structure, the combination of a sliding sash; a pair of downwardly-diverging levers having their upper ends pivotally connected to the lower end of the sash; a pair of upwardly-diverging levers disposed below the first pair and pivotally connected at their upper ends to the lower ends of said first pair and at their lower ends to a. fixed member; springs atthe mutually-connected ends of the two pairs of levers and acting on both pairs to close the sash; a self-acting clutch; and a stationary member other than the sash with which said clutch coacts to retain said sash in adjusted position against the action of the springs.

3. In a window structure, the combination of a sliding sash; a pair of downwardlyii verging levers having their upper ends pivotally connected. to the lower end of the sash; a pair of upwardly-diverging levers disposed below the first pair and pivotally connected at their upper ends to the lower ends of said first pair and at their "lower ends to a fixed member; springs at the mutually-connected ends of the two pairs of levers and acting on both pairs to close the sash; a self-acting clutch; a stationary member other than the sash with which said clutchcoacts to retain the sash in any position of adjustment against the action of said springs; and a deeccentric discs; a mem of a sliding sash; a pair of vice operable at will on the clutch to open the same temporarily.

4. In a window structure, the combination, with aframe, and a sash sliding therein; of a pair of downwardly-diverging levers hav ing their upper ends pivotally connected to the lower end of the sash; a pair of upwardlydiverging levers disposed below the first pair and pivotally connected at their upper ends to thelower ends of said first their lower ends to a fixed mem er; springs at the mutually-connected ends of the two pairs of levers and acting on both pairs to close the sash; a'self-acting clutch at one end of one pair of levers; a tensioned band connected with the frame and whereon said clutch acts; and hand-controlled means operable at will on the clutch to open the same temporarily.

5. A window structure according to claim 4, in which the upper ends of the upper pair of levers are pivoted directly together as well as'to the sash, and the lower endsof the lower 1 pair of levers are pivoted directly together as well as to the fixed member; and in which the clutch is arranged at the connected upper ends of the upper levers and acts on the upper portion of the tensioned band.

6. In a window structure, the combination of a sliding sash; a pair of downwardly-db verging levers having their upper ends pivotally connected to the lower end of the sasha air of upwardly-diverging levers disposed be ow the first pair and pivotally connected at their upper ends to the lower ends of said first pair and at their lower ends to a fixed member; springs at the mutually-connected ends of the two pairs of levers and acting on both pairs to close the sash; a one-way clutch embodying two operatively-associated eccentric discs; and a member other than said sash with which both discs coact to hold the sash in adjusted position against the action of the springs. I

7. In a window structure the combination downwardly-diverging levers having their upper ends pivotally connected to the lower end of the sasha pair of upwardly-diverging levers dispose below the rst pair and pivotally connected attheir upper ends to the lower ends of said first piir and at their lower ends to a fixed mem r; springs at the mutually connected ends of the two pairs of levers and'acting on both pairs to close the sash; a one-way clutch embodying two 0 eratively-associated her other than said sash with which both discs coact to hold the sash in adjusted sition against the action of the springs; and and-controlled means oper able at Will on said discs to release them temporarily. 8. In a window structure, the combination,

air and at their upper ends pivotally connected to the lower end of the sash; a pair of upwardlydiverging levers disposed below the first pair and pivotally connectedat their upper ends to the lower ends of said first an and at their lower ends to a fixed mem r; springs at the mutually-connected ends of the two pairs of levers and actin on both pairs to close the sash; a clutch em odying two coactmg gripping parts; a bandv fixed at opposite en s to stationary parts of the frame and passing between the gripping parts to be engaged by them, whereby the sash is held in ad usted position a ainst the, action of the springs; and a han -controlled device operable at will on said gripping parts to release them temporarily.

9.- In a window structure the combination with a frame, and a sash sliding therein; of a pair of downwardly-diverging levers having their upper ends pivotally connected to the lower end of the sash; a pair of upwardlydiverging levers disposed below the first pair and pivotally connected at their up or ends to the lower ends of said first pair and at their lower ends to a fixed membersprings at the mutually-connected ends of the two airs of levers and acting on both pairs to c ose the sash; a self-actin clutch at one end of one pair of levers an a tensioned band connected at opposite ends to stationar parts of the frame and whereon said clutc acts.

10. In a window structure, the combination, with a frame, and a sash sliding therein; of a system of levers pivotally connected together to form a four-sided support for the sash; sprin s acting on said lever system to close s'aid sas a stationary vertical member connected at top and bottom with said frame; and a self-acting clutch carried by the sash and o erative on said member to retain the sash in any position of adjustment against the action of said springs.

11. A sash-retaining structure according to claim'lO, in which the member whereon the clutch acts consists of a tensioned band.

12. A sash-retaining structure according to claim 10, in which the self-acting clutc comprises a pair of spring-actuated gripping parts disposed at opposite sides of the stationary vertical member for'operation thereon. i 13. A sash-retaining structure according to claim 10, in which the member whereon the clutch acts consists of a tensioned band; and in which the clutch itself comprises a pair of operatively-associated gripping parts disposed ,at opposite sides of said band for operation thereon. s

In testimon whereof I afiix m si ature.

' OHN HERBERl Pl EB.

with a frame, and a sash sliding therein; of a 4 6| pair of downwardly-diverging levers having 

